USI Bronstein Center for Healthy Aging and Wellness

08/31/2026

What does it mean to be an age-friendly community?

An age-friendly community is one where people can thrive at every stage of life, with opportunities to stay connected, engaged, healthy, and independent as they age.

The new Age-Friendly Evansville-Vanderburgh County: Cradle to Rocking Chair initiative is bringing community partners together to better understand local needs and work toward a future where transportation, housing, outdoor spaces, social connection, accessibility, health services, civic participation, and access to information support residents of all ages.

The statistics in this series highlight opportunities for growth and remind us that creating a more age-friendly community takes all of us.

We are proud to support and share this important work alongside SWIRCA & More, AARP Indiana, and Circular Venture Lab as we work toward a stronger, more inclusive Evansville-Vanderburgh County.

💙 Quality • Dignity • Health

07/22/2026

06/22/2026

On June 18, the USI GWEP proudly hosted a Dementia Educator Training and Certification in partnership with Positive Approach to Care®.

Participants engaged in a full day of hands-on learning, including demonstrations, role-play scenarios, and coaching cycles designed to strengthen relationship-centered dementia care practices.

Through this training, attendees built skills such as:
✅ Positive Physical Approach™
✅ Hand-under-Hand® support
✅ Communication strategies that recognize retained abilities and adapt to brain change

We are grateful to welcome a new group of 19 Dementia Educators who are equipped to transform care and support individuals living with dementia in more meaningful, compassionate ways.

06/03/2026

What an incredible day at the Minka Learning Lab for Living Well! 🏡💛

We had the joy of welcoming the USI Retirees Group for a hands-on experience focused on aging well at home. With guidance from expert volunteers from our local AARP chapter, we explored practical, affordable ways to make homes safer and more accessible - empowering people to live independently for longer.
From reducing fall risks (especially in bathrooms, where 80% of falls occur) to thoughtful design choices like zero-step entries, grab bars, improved lighting, and removing trip hazards.

💡 Did you know? Long-term care costs can average $6,500–$8,500/month, making aging in place not only meaningful, but often more financially sustainable.
Following the session, guests toured the Minka, seeing these ideas come to life in a home intentionally designed to support aging, dementia, and disability-friendly living for people of all abilities and stages of life.

🔗 Helpful resources:

AARP HomeFit Guide: https://www.aarp.org/membership/benefits/home-life/homefit-guide/
Download the guide directly: https://www.aarp.org/livable-communities/housing/info-2020/homefit-guide-download.html
Aging in place resources: https://www.aarp.org/home-living/smart-guide-aging-in-place/
Indiana 2-1-1 (local support): https://www.in.gov/fssa/indiana-211/

05/13/2026

Dementia is not a normal part of aging. This Older Americans Month, explore the latest facts and figures on Alzheimer’s and dementia in older adults and make a plan to take action for your brain health - it's never too late to start. Visit alz.org/facts.

05/11/2026

Reagan Lawrence ’27, a biology/pre-med student and Research Assistant with the Geriatrics Workforce Enhancement Program (GWEP), is the recipient of the 2026 USI Trustees Distinguished Merit Award.

Through her work with the GWEP, she had the opportunity to present her research related to dementia and rural areas at a national conference in Boston. This past semester, she was instrumental in bringing a speaker to campus who shared his lived experience with early-onset Alzheimer’s disease.

Her takeaway from these experiences? “Perhaps one of the things I say most is ‘The only thing I am rich in is time,’ ” she says. “If you have a passion for research or community health initiatives, use your time to make an impact on these areas. As college students, there are so many opportunities to get involved on and off campus so do it!”

🎉 Congratulations, Reagan! You make us proud! 🏆

Read more about Reagan at https://www.usi.edu/spotlight/lawrence

USI Bronstein Center for Healthy Aging and Wellness

USI Pott College of Science, Engineering, and Education

05/01/2026

2026 Older Adult Mental Health Awareness Day Symposium

Join the NCOA on May 7, 2026, for the 9th Annual Older Adult Mental Health Awareness Day Symposium! A premier event focused on advancing mental health support for older adults. This year’s program features key topics like su***de prevention, workforce strategies, evidence-based approaches, and more.

In partnership with Rush University’s E4 Center of Excellence for Behavioral Health Disparities in Aging, continuing education credits, up to 5.5 hours of free CE for this event, are anticipated for several professions. The symposium will open with a featured conversation between NCOA CEO Ramsey Alwin and mental health advocate Kevin Briggs, known as the “Guardian of the Golden Gate Bridge.”

04/13/2026

Each year, Indiana Dementia Strategic Plan members are required to report progress on the plan’s goals. The 2025 report was submitted to the legislature and is now available to view! Check out some of the highlights and visit https://bit.ly/4bU42nC to learn more!

04/13/2026

TOMORROW IS THE DAY! Come join this student-led community event in hosted in collaboration with | Usi Bronstein 💜

Our guest speaker, Sean Terwilliger, is living with Alzheimer's disease (the most common form of dementia). He is here to prove that life doesn't end after diagnosis. In fact, after being diagnosed, Sean started a blog, began speaking publicly as an advocate, and is in the process of writing a BOOK! 📚

He is here to answer questions and break the stigma around dementia. Come and listen to what Sean has to say, and feel free to ask questions yourself!

WHEN: April 14, 6 p.m. CT
WHERE: USI, Wright Administration Building, Forum 3

Check out Sean's website to learn more: https://alzfiredup.co

03/19/2026

UPCOMING COMMUNITY EVENT: Please join the Bronstein Center for Healthy Aging and Wellness in welcoming Sean Terwilliger - a former technology leader diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer's disease.

Sean will be presenting in-person at USI on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, from 6 - 8 p.m. CT. This event is being hosted in the Wright Administration Building Forum 3.

Sean is a leader in Alzheimer's advocacy and awareness. He is living proof that life doesn't stop after a dementia diagnosis. He has a blog, gives public presentations regularly, and is in the process of writing a book!

Come listen to his lived experience and leave inspired. 💜